News

Meg Larkin elected President of RAA

24 May 2005

The Chair of Regional Arts NSW, Meg Larkin, has been elected President of Regonal Arts Australia (RAA) for a term of one year commencing on 9 May 2005.

RAA is the peak national agency for the development of the arts across regional Australia, bringing together the collective knowledge of the state and territory regional arts agencies (such as Regional Arts NSW). RAA develops and delivers national policies and projects that make a difference to the ways that the arts can contribute to community life across regional Australia.

As well as her position as Chair of Regional Arts NSW, Meg Larkin is the Cultural and Community Services Manager for the Tamworth Regional Council. She is a long standing resident of the north west of New South Wales and is passionate about assisting communities prosper in times of great cultural change.

The other members of the new Executive of Regional Arts Australia are

	Vice President Mr Les Jones, Chair of the Queensland Arts Council and Senior Partner, Grant Thornton Accountants
	Honorary Secretary Mr Ken Lloyd, CEO Country Arts SA, and
	Treasurer Mr Andy Farrant, CEO of Country Arts WA.

Mr Arthur Frame, CEO, Queensland Arts Council, was also coopted to the Executive to assist in the planning and development of Regional Arts Australia’s National Conference which is to be held in regional Queensland in September 2006.

On her appointment Ms Larkin said, “I am delighted to take up this opportunity. I believe Regional Arts Australia is at the forefront of developing policies and programs, which are designed to enhance arts and cultural life across regional Australia. I look forward to working with regional communities and my regional arts colleagues in our collective endeavours to develop new programs and initiatives for the regional arts sector”.

“I am particularly looking forward to playing a crucial role in shaping the outcomes from Regional Arts Australia’s series of national community consultations which are currently being held across regional Australia. I have no doubt the forums will canvas many meaningful ideas and focus on the role the arts and culture plays in regional Australia. I am keen to use the outcomes from these consultations and develop a comprehensive blueprint for future arts policies and programs for regional Australia”. Ms Larkin said.

Contact
Meg Larkin, President, RAA Tel 02 6755 4471 Mob 0407 255 821
Ken Lloyd, Secretary, RAA Mob 0401 126 070

More information
More information about the National Community Consultations [here].
More about Meg Larkin [here]